PUGLIA

Things to do in Puglia and TOP TEN locations in Puglia!

Information about Puglia (Apulia) and Southern Italy

Puglia – the boot heel of Italy- is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, thanks to its rich cultural heritage of undiscovered towns, fine examples of baroque architecture, white sand beaches, wonderful food and wine, stylish resorts and masserie (ancient fortified farmhouses). Puglia or Apulia is definitely a must see region in Italy!

It is hard to believe that this exotic-looking place, which shows off its marine bed through limpid and silken waters, is a region on the Adriatic Sea. Above all, the dramatic and varied natural beauty will leave their impression, as will the warm welcome of the hospitable people of southern Italy.

Enjoying a typically Mediterranean climate Puglia offers long tranquil days of sunshine and a culinary legacy abundant with color and overflowing in flavor.

Puglia is a food and wine lover’s paradise. The fresh produce is of excellent quality and many of the basic elements of the Italian kitchen originate from here.

It is a little known fact that Puglia produces the largest amount of olive oil in Italy. Some of Italy’s finest oils hail from this region.

Many quality wines are produced in Puglia, 10% of the European production, with the best reds from Salento region. When travelling through Puglia, you cannot fail to notice the long rows of grape-heavy vines that stretch off into the distance. Puglia is the perfect place to try inexpensive but excellent varieties, which are made in abundance in the hot, dry climate.

You’ll find plenty of elegant ristorante and homely trattorie; for a real taste of Puglia, though, you have to experience a traditional masseria (farm house).

Puglia is served by two airports at Bari and Brindisi and most of the region can be reached from these airports within 1 hours drive.

The Climate in Puglia and Southern Italy

In general, Puglia has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot dry summers. Summer temperatures average between 25-30 degrees but can reach the mid 40s.

TOP TEN LOCATIONS in Puglia!

First of all, we have to admit that it was very hard to fill a top ten locations in Puglia since many places are diverse and equally beautiful. Also, the ranking is based on our personal view and taste. We are happy to hear your comments on our blog or via email.

The number ONE top location in Puglia you should definitely not miss is Lecce. Lecce is a very elegant town, quite simply a testament to the beauty of the baroque period. Abundant in churches (more than forty churches and noble palazzo built in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries), sculpture and breathtaking design it plays home to over 100,000 residents and has the largest centro historico in the region. Cosmopolitan yet overflowing in charm, it is known throughout Italy as the Florence of the South. Lecce is the capital of Salento, the heart of Southern Puglia. From Lecce it is very easy to move around to get to the blue-green sea, white sandy beaches and the beautiful countryside.

The number TWO top location in Puglia is Otranto and the small villages next to it: Castro and Santa Cesarea. Otranto is one of the most beautiful small villages in Italy and the most enchanting in all of Puglia. Otranto is the most Eastern town in Italy, the first one to see the sun rising. This historic and artistic seaside destination has a quiet and sophisticated atmosphere that is enhanced by the sights in and around it. Its Basilica, dating back to the 9th century, and 15th-century castle are just two of them that, combined with the crystal clear sea and the climate, make it one of the most sought-after resorts in Salento. Otranto has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches …in Italy. From Otranto it is very nice to go for a bike tour down to Castro (we think a very romantic place!) and then to Santa Maria di Leuca…..the extreme end of Puglia and of Italy. Near Otranto there is a diving centre. You will love horse riding on the beach near Otranto!

The number THREE top location in Puglia is certainly the northernmost part of Puglia, the Gargano, a huge rocky outcrop, juts towards the Balkans in a stunning display of verdant maquis set against a turquoise and blue backdrop. A place known for its tasty but simple cuisine, its light plays of morning silver and evening gold and the magic of its ancient towers, which still echo of long-ago Saracen incursions. Don’t miss the beautiful towns of Peschici, Lesina, Mattinata, Vieste, steeped in history and tradition, where the people are down to hearth and open-hearted. The most beautiful scenes emerge between Peschici and Mattinata, the kingdom of free-growing orchids. The deep bay of Zagara is guarded by the two faraglioni, impressive rocky sentries that tower over the shore and the plunging cliffs. The whole coastline has an appearance of intricate lacework and seduced beaches thanks to enchanting grottos. Further north, olive groves and citrus orchards suddenly change into pine forests. Gargano National Park is a protected area home to more than 2,000 botanical species and amazingly rich in fauna.

We think Cisternino is number FOUR top location in Puglia, another small town you should definitely not miss! There’s no better place to savor the regional cuisine than this city which is dubbed a town of gastronomy. Restaurants and trattorias are here at every turn and set their tables out in the narrow whitewashed streets and piazzas. You have to visit the market and buy locally-produced ingredients such as pecorino cheese, local sausage, fresh capers and scarlet peppers. Cisternino is a small hilltop town with a spectacular panorama of the countryside. The streets are narrow and maze-like, whitewashed like in Greece. At night the historic heart of town wakes up and musicians of all ages play traditional music. The whole area around Cisternino is called Valle Itria or Itria Valley. The area produces excellent wines, meat cheese and salumi. From Cisternino you can easily get to Ostuni, also known as the white town. Ostuni is very beautiful to be visited from September to June. In July and August may get too busy with tourists.

Gallipoli is number FIVE top location. Salento’s principal fishing port, Gallipoli is separated into two parts, the old and the new. Abundant in history, folklore and with a culinary tradition unique to the town Gallipoli is perhaps Puglia most individual and lively seaside town. Close to Gallipoli is one of the most beautiful places in Italy….and may be in the whole Mediterranean: Porto Selvaggio. This is a sea natural reserve just by the sea with an amazing and …super romantic sea view. By the sea there are many towers dating back to the 16th century when the Turks attacked the Puglia coasts. Also lots of beautiful flowers, trees and protected animal. Since it is a sea natural reserve it is forbidden to boats to arrive. There is a diving centre nearby. The whole area around Porto Selvaggio up to Santa Caterina is very nice to be explored by bike, admiring all the beautiful historical villas. If you go to Gallipoli don’t miss the close towns of Galatina and Nardò. Both towns have fascinating historical centers with beautiful aristocratic palaces and villas. Also, in the countryside around Galatina and Nardò you find some of the best wineries in the Salento area.

Giovinazzo and the nearby Trani are number SIX top locations in Puglia. They are both by the sea and have beautiful historical centers. Both towns have very elegant and well preserved cathedrals made with the typical marble stone from Trani. You will be fascinated by the small, clean, fresh and elegant small streets. You can find amazing seafood restaurants in both towns!

Matera is number SEVEN top location to be visited. Matera is in the Basilicata region, but from Puglia it’s just a short journey. Perched on the edge of a deep ravine, Matera is famous for its eerie rock-hewn 8th-century sassi – cave-like buildings carved into the rock face which were once used by Byzantine monks as places of refuge. Subsequently, sassi were inhabited by the local population and spawned the growth of an entire sassi culture, including cave-style churches and chapels. Declared a World Heritage Site, Matera makes for a great day out.

The area around Andria and Castel del Monte is number EIGHT top location in Puglia. Castel del Monte once the fortress-palace of King Frederick II, Castel del Monte is an exceptional octagonal castle dating back to the 13th-century and is arguably Puglia most impressive Norman castle. Standing on the summit of a hill, the castle’s mighty walls and turrets dominate the plains below. In this area you find some of the most delicious extra virgin olive oils, red and white wines!

We think Polignano a Mare and the nearby Conversano are number NINE top locations in Puglia. Polignano a Mare is by the sea and has spectacular cliffs. It is one of the best places where to eat seafood in Puglia! Conversano is an enchanting little city of millenary history. It has a beautiful historical center and is very closed to a beautiful countryside.

Alberobello is number TEN top location in Puglia. It is home to over 1,000 whitewashed trulli. Unique to Puglia, trulli are bizarre-looking little circular buildings with conical roofs. Due to the large concentration of trulli, Alberobello has been declared an Italian national monument and Unesco World heritage. Around Alberobello there is a beautiful countryside and hill area. Artisans produce amazing cheese, mozzarellas and meat!